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Audi 5000 VIN Check

NHTSA holds 33 owner complaints on the Audi 5000 from 25 production runs; the worst run has 3, the typical one 1.3.

NHTSA complaint records · 33 complaints · 25 runs · 1982–1987 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported 5000 run is WAUFB0444FN (1985 builds) with 3 complaints, 2.3× the typical run. Power train problems make up 29% of reports; 1985 is the worst model year at 1.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for 5000 model years 1981–1988.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Audi 5000 has 25 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 39% of every 5000 complaint on file.

FIG.01·Audi 5000 — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
WAUFB0444FN••••••198532—
WAUFB0446FN••••••19853——
WAUHD0442GN••••••19863——
WAUFB0442GN••••••19863——
WAUGB0436CN••••••198211—
WAUGB0436DN••••••19831——
WAUFB00448E••••••19841——
WHUHE0447HN••••••19871——
WAUFB044XFN••••••19851——
WAUHC0443FN••••••19851——
WAUF80444FN••••••19851——
WAUFB0449FN••••••19851——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 13 5000 runs has 1 complaint or fewer.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Audi 5000 the gap between build years is 1.6×: a 1985 car draws 1.6 complaints per run, a 1987 one 1.

FIG.02·Audi 5000 — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
19871551
19861.41391
19851.61173
ROWS 3·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 1985 at 1.6 complaints per run; lightest is 1987 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 29% of everything Audi 5000 owners report: Power Train, 10 of 33 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Audi 5000 — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Power Train104—
Vehicle Speed Control521
Fuel System4—2
Gasoline4—2
Electrical System4—1
Visibility3——
Exterior Lighting3——
Service Brakes2——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 13 recall campaigns on the Audi 5000; the 6 below cover build years 1981 to 1988. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Audi 5000 — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
87V008000Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift1981–1986
87V157000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly1984–1988
89V006000Fuel System, Gasoline1984–1988
93V006000Power Train:axle Assembly1985–1988
96E006000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings1983–1986
82V037000Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal1981–1983
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

87V008000 was opened in 1987 on cars built from 1981: 6 years on the road before the recall.

The 5000 against its rivals

The 5000 draws 1.3 complaints per production run; the BMW M5 1.5. That is the lowest rate of the 2.

FIG.05·Audi 5000 VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Audi 500033251.318.2%
BMW M590611.53.3%
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 33 reports on the Audi 5000, 18.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Audi 5000 — complaint severity
OutcomeAudi 5000All vehicles
Complaints filed331,115,966
Involved a crash6 (18.2%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire2 (6.1%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported758,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 214% above the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Audi 5000 share of that is 33 complaints over 25 runs, 0% of everything on record.

Everything on the Audi 5000
Recalls41 campaignsFuel economy20 mpg bestReliability3.5/5Common problems73 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space39 cu ftWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1981–1988

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Audi 5000 VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 33 NHTSA complaints from 25 5000 runs and 13 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which 5000 production run has the most complaints?

WAUFB0444FN, a 1985 build, with 3 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical 5000 run has 1.3.

Which 5000 years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 1985 is heaviest at 1.6 complaints per run and 1987 lightest at 1.

Does the 5000 get more complaints than the BMW M5?

No: 1.3 complaints per production run for the 5000 against 1.5 for the BMW M5.

How many 5000 complaints involve a crash?

18.2% of 33 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 2 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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